In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2030, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has completed its environmental analysis of the proposed Revolution Wind Farm Project (Project) offshore Rhode Island, which BOEM estimates could power more than 300,000 homes with clean renewable energy.
“BOEM used the feedback we received from Tribal Nations, industry, ocean users, communities, and stakeholders to help inform our decisions throughout the environmental review process and ensure that we are addressing potential impacts,” said BOEM Director Elizabeth Klein. “This milestone represents another important step forward in building a new clean energy economy here in the United States.”
Revolution Wind, LLC proposes to construct an offshore wind energy project of up to 100 wind turbines, capable of generating up to 880 megawatts, located approximately 15 nautical miles southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island. If approved, Revolution Wind would be the fourth commercial-scale offshore wind project located on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf approved by the Biden-Harris administration.
The Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) for Revolution Wind, LLC’s proposed Project will publish in the Federal Register on July 21, 2023. The Final EIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts of the activities laid out in Revolution Wind, LLC’s Construction and Operations Plan. The Final EIS is available on BOEM’s website.
On Sept. 2, 2022, BOEM published a draft EIS, initiating a 45-day public comment period, which closed on Oct. 17, 2022. BOEM also held three in-person and two virtual public meetings to solicit additional feedback on the draft EIS from Tribal Nations, local community members, commercial fishing interests, and other ocean users. BOEM received a total of 124 comments from Federal, Tribal, state, and local government agencies; non-governmental organizations; and the public during the comment period.
BOEM considered these comments and stakeholders’ feedback when developing the Final EIS, a critical step to ensure the Project can move forward while balancing the needs and interests of those who may be affected by the development. Specifically in response to comments received, BOEM developed a preferred alternative that includes fewer turbines to reduce impacts to visual resources and benthic habitat, allows for ocean co-use, and meet the energy needs of Rhode Island.
Next Steps
BOEM plans to issue a Record of Decision on whether to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove the project this summer.
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The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is responsible for America’s offshore energy and mineral resources. The bureau promotes energy independence, environmental protection and economic development through responsible, science-based management of energy and mineral resources on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.